Process Analysis of Anaerobic Fermentation Exposure to Metal Mixtures

Yonglan Tian, Huayong Zhang, Lei Zheng, Shusen Li, He Hao, Meixiao Yin, Yudong Cao and Hai Huang
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Yonglan Tian: Research Center for Engineering Ecology and Nonlinear Science, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Huayong Zhang: Research Center for Engineering Ecology and Nonlinear Science, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Lei Zheng: Research Center for Engineering Ecology and Nonlinear Science, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Shusen Li: Research Center for Engineering Ecology and Nonlinear Science, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
He Hao: Research Center for Engineering Ecology and Nonlinear Science, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Meixiao Yin: Research Center for Engineering Ecology and Nonlinear Science, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Yudong Cao: Research Center for Engineering Ecology and Nonlinear Science, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Hai Huang: Research Center for Engineering Ecology and Nonlinear Science, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-21

Abstract: Anaerobic fermentation is a cost-effective biowaste disposal approach. During fermentation, microorganisms require a trace amount of metals for optimal growth and performance. This study investigated the effects of metal mixtures on biogas properties, process stability, substrate degradation, enzyme activity, and microbial communities during anaerobic fermentation. The addition of iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) into a copper (Cu)-stressed fermentation system resulted in higher cumulative biogas yields, ammonia nitrogen (NH 4 + -N) concentrations and coenzyme F 420 activities. Ni and Zn addition enhanced process stability and acetate utilization. The addition of these metals also improved and brought forward the peak daily biogas yields as well as increased CH 4 content to 88.94 and 86.58%, respectively. Adding Zn into the Cu-stressed system improved the abundance of Defluviitoga , Fibrobacter and Methanothermobacter , the degradation of cellulose, and the transformation of CO 2 to CH 4 . The bacterial and archaeal communities were responsible for the degradation of lignocelluloses and CH 4 production during the fermentation process. This study supports the reutilization of heavy metal-contaminated biowaste and provides references for further research on heavy metals impacted anaerobic fermentation.

Keywords: heavy metals; biogas production; substrate biodegradation; enzyme activity; microbial communities; methanogens (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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